I have recently been speaking with administrators and educators who are planning to return to physical classrooms with students present, with social distancing in place. The conversations have been fraught with anxious excitement. Hybrid teaching is not synonymous with pre-2020 teaching. Between classroom setup, schedules, health guidelines, and everything in between – much has changed. Educators are eager to see students, children are looking forward to interacting with peers, but this is mixed with recognition that novel challenges persist.

How might we prepare for the unknown?

The Pregame –

Take a mental walk through this new first day of school. It may be helpful to physically walk around your classroom. Test out technology that will be utilized, practice speaking with a mask if required at your site, imagine your time in the classroom and the supplies you will need – does anything need to be altered for the sake of safe access?

Prepare the students for the changes to come. I spoke with teachers today who indicate their young students, currently connecting via video from home, say they can’t wait to see their teachers and classmates to give them a hug. These teachers were crushed when considering that they are limited from even shaking a student’s hand or giving a high five. Before students arrive, educate them as to the safety protocols that will be in place, and assure them that these restrictions do not equate to personal rejection. The teachers I spoke with today shared ideas for “air high fives”, “students patting themselves on the back”, and using verbal shout-outs as validation.

Stay Consistent –

While students and educators are beginning to return to school, uncertainty remains. The unknown can cause anxiety, fear, and lead to feeling out of control. As such, routine is a support. When the brain is inundated by stress, it seeks out the familiar. Before the return to the school building did students utilize a digital platform to access assignments each morning? This can be continued in the physical classroom. Did you utilize particular attention getters and/or timers on video calls with students? Continue to do so. As you and your students grow accustomed to learning in a new environment, the familiar may calm their nerves and free space in their brain for cognitive processes.

Predict Barriers –

Take a proactive rather than reactive approach to planning. What barriers may you face in your physical classroom? Are you restricted from approaching student desks to provide feedback on student work? Perhaps student whiteboards may be easier to see, or a digital platform will allow for feedback you can provide from a few feet away. Have group tables or other furniture items been rearranged or removed to allow for distancing? I have spoken with teachers who strategically assigned particular students to desks in different areas of the room to support grouping. Will students grow weary of wearing a mask for hours on end? Consider conducting portions of your class outdoors, or have students go outside to walk around the campus for a quick “mask break”. The “mask break” was the highlight of my daughter’s first day back on the school campus! She felt valued, that her teacher recognized that it is not necessarily comfortable to be a student in this new environment. Take a mental (or physical) walk as a student. The best way to gain empathy for students is to put yourself in their shoes. What barriers might exist as they move throughout their day? What if a student needs a pencil sharpened? What if the battery on their laptop dies? Consider options that may help remove or overcome these barriers.

Above all, grant yourself, your colleagues, and your students grace. It may be impossible to predict all outcomes and plan for all circumstances. Our adaptability is perhaps our greatest strength in 2020. Adjust to meet the needs of those you serve, and be mindful to engage in self-care as well. And thank you. Educators, parents, students – all are rockstars.

Note: Be sure to follow all local health guidelines in your area. Health recommendations trump any recommendations and suggestions mentioned in this blog.